Penrith assistant coach Trent Barrett says the acquisition of Jamie Soward from the start of next season will be a huge boost for the Panthers.
Former NSW five-eighth Soward put pen to paper on a four-year deal on Thursday and Barrett, who will coach the NSW Country Origin side on Sunday in Coffs Harbour, has backed the 28-year-old to shine at the foot of the Blue Mountains.
“He’ll be good – he’ll be able to control the game,” said Barrett on Saturday.
“His form over the last few weeks is back to where he was a few years ago and, with the forward pack we’ve got, it will suit his game.”
Barrett also believes Soward’s experience, which has led to him playing three times for the Blues and also in a grand final-winning team in 2010, would be vital to the development of a young Panthers side.
“We have a young side, and Jamie has played in a lot of big games and won a comp,” he said.
“He’s going to help our young halves with their kicking.
“It’s a start for us – we are going through a bit of rebuilding phase, but we have a lot of work to do before he comes on board.”
Barrett knows all about the pressure of wearing the No.6 shirt at the Dragons and warned Soward it doesn’t get an easier when you no longer wear the famous Red V.
“There’s pressure wherever you go and the Penrith fans will expect him to play well,” he said.
Penrith’s NSW and City prop Tim Grant also welcomed the news of Soward’s arrival.
“It’s a great signing for us,” Grant told AAP.
“He’s an experienced player and I’m looking forward to playing with him.”
Angy Bird
Guest
Bad, bad,bad move by the Dragons. Widdop is solid at best and has been blessed by running around with a Storm outfit on his back Wecome to the fishbowl life in Sydney mate, where every game you play gets critiqued on every radio station, newspaper and TV show, Widdop is going to struggle.... be sure of that. Meanwile Panthers signing Soward is a master stroke. Has anybody noticed that Jamie has learnt to tackle in these last few years?? Notice his organizing skills?? How he is selective about when to run and when to pass?? Its called maturing as a footballer, something most plymakers only get via experience. Siilly Silly Sillly Dragons... What is his weakness now???